“The local Brooklyn music scene is really queer because a lot of the transplants here are queer. We’re trying to find a place to find safety and culture with our people.”

On a hot day in June, friends and fans of the DIY indie rock community met at TV Eye to see Talon’s release show for their new music video. Tucked away in a mostly residential neighborhood between Ridgewood and Bushwick, TV Eye showcases a wide range of artists - ranging from visual artists to bands.

Marked only by a lit up neon eye on a black brick building, it’s off the mainstream path. Upon entering, the space is meticulously decorated with art deco wall patterns, disco balls, and a 1950s phone booth. TV Eye is not just a venue, but a community hub with a bar, a restaurant, a patio and, most importantly, a stage. On this Saturday, the venue attracted a community which immediately radiated openness and the joy of sharing a live music experience.

As a part of BAMM’s broader exploration into Fandom culture, this was one of five cross-market fan events visited by our RAW photojournalism network. Capturing the action through vox pops, photography and immersive 360 filming, we experienced the joy of a community coming together around local queer bands, for a shared live music experience.

The band ‘Talon’ consists of four members who share not only their love of indie rock, but also the common goal of supporting LGBTQ+ identities in music spaces. The value of representation of LGBTQ+ people in the music industry is shared by their fans – many of who also identify as LGBTQ+ themselves. They foster an inclusive community through a radical openness - hiring queer people to work on their music videos and creating bills with other LGBTQ+ artists. Whether consciously or not, Talon taps into NYC’s long history of music venues providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ people.

The rise of 70s Disco in New York City provided a space for LGBTQ+ individuals to escape, acting as a safe haven, removed from broader political forces and social oppression. The Paradise Garage was a particularly famous venue for LQBTQ+ celebration and togetherness. Despite being open for only 9 years, it created a legacy for future inclusive spaces centered around music to flourish in New York City.

Source: ‘Paradise Garage’ from NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project

Historically, music events provided a way for LGBTQ+ people to gather without having to explicitly say it was an inclusive space and therefore face the stigma and repercussions of being LGBTQ+. The particular intersection of LGBTQ+ people and live music exemplifies a fan base that’s not only connected through shared identities, but also through a shared experience of a live music event.

Today, it’s common for music venues to foster inclusive spaces, given the importance that Gen Z places on inclusivity. A recent study suggests that one in five Gen Z identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. However, while many of Talon’s fans are Gen Z, a wide age range attended the gig. Inclusivity for Gen Z extends past the historical idea of safe spaces for particular identity groups, into a broader, more intergenerational and intersectional approach.

“What I see is probably different from what another local fan would see. I obviously have a really queer eye – I just watched Talon. We are very queer in this moment. We usually try to go to shows that are fundraiser focused or locally focused - and it just feels like community honestly.”

Many people are drawn to small venues like TV Eye because it gives them the chance to discover new artists. The gig took place during the day on Saturday - attracting a different crowd than the typical night time bar vibe, but a prime time to check out up and coming indie rock artists. The main venue is dimly lit, with a disco ball and red velvet curtains which frame the stage - and open and close between each set. The aesthetics, capacity, location, and reputation of TV Eye make it a desirable venue for small indie artists to play.

For some, this was their first time at TV Eye - brought here by their love and support of Talon, but many frequent TV Eye to see local talent. Talon’s bill was put together by the lead singer to celebrate the release of their music video, ‘Blondie’. Created by a crew of mostly LGBTQ+ people, their release show provides an opportunity for people to come together over a shared love of Talon. Many fans value discovering new artists at ‘Talon’ shows and attend to not only see them, but to experience the immersive nature of a live music experience.

“I’m obviously here to support a friend, but their music is really good. I’m such a huge fan of them for that reason because I really believe in their style of music and the energy they have on stage. You kind of feel all the same emotions together. It has a special feeling you can’t get any other way.”

Central to these live music events and underground venues is the value of reciprocation - artists supporting artists and community supporting one another. There is the expectation that when they support their friends' shows, those friends will attend their shows in return - creating a constant cycle of audience and fan support. However, these small live music occasions extend beyond the joy of music and into broader community values of support and unity. This signals that fan spaces are not just passion points, but rather a necessary attribute to the creation of strong local communities.

Words By: Carolyn Fahrner

Photos By: Edwin Torres